Presenteeism

Artwork by Ian Williams 2 September 2022

Comic

A four panel comic.

The first panel shows a man stood in the upstairs corridor of his home, outside of a baby's room with a cot inside it. The baby is screaming 'WAAAHHH'. The man looks exhausted, looking down at his beeping watch with his head in his hands. His shirt is stained with vomit. Speech comes from him and reads, 'Oh boy, What a night. Never seen so much puke come out of one kid. And I'm starting surgery in two hours.

The second panel is in the same location outside the baby's bedroom. The man's partner is stood speaking to him, with her arms gesturing and her hair dishevelled. She also appears exhausted. The man is slouched and frowning. Speech from him reads 'I don't feel safe to drive, let alone deal with patients.' Speech from the woman reads 'Well, she can't go into nursery... So ring in sick.'

The third panel shows the same characters in the same location. The woman is stood facing the man, with her hands sternly on her hips. She says 'Well, I've meetings with clients booked all day...' The baby continues to scream, 'WAAHH'. A teddy bear has appeared next to the baby's cot. The man's arms are outstretched, and he seems outraged. Speech from him reads 'You kidding me? I can't let all those people down!'

The fourth panel shows the same characters in the same location. Speech from the baby reads 'MUMMY MUMMY MUMMY MUMMY'. The woman looks irritated, and is pointing her thumb at herself. Speech from her reads 'So how come it's always ME expected to cancel my day?' The man is slouched over and has a sad expression on his face.

About the artist

Ian Williams

@TheBadDr on Instagram
ian-williams.co.uk

Dr Ian Williams is a comics artist, writer and doctor who lives in Brighton. His work includes two graphic novels, ‘The Bad Doctor‘ and ‘The Lady Doctor‘, and the third of the trilogy, ‘The Sick Doctor’, will be published in 2025. He named the area of study called graphic medicine, and is the creator and co-editor of the Graphic Medicine website. He is founder of the not-for-profit Graphic Medicine International Collective and co-author of the Eisner-nominated ‘Graphic Medicine Manifesto‘. He has produced comic strips for the Guardian newspaper, and numerous organisations, including Wellcome Collection.

Presenteeism

About the artist

Ian Williams

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